Grahamsville man carries gun to school

Thursday

Oct 22, 2009 at 2:00 AM

GRAHAMSVILLE — A Grahamsville man armed with a pistol walked into the Tri-Valley Secondary School Wednesday morning before turning the gun over to the school's principal, causing the school to be locked down for about an hour.

BY KEITH GOLDBERG

GRAHAMSVILLE — A Grahamsville man armed with a pistol walked into the Tri-Valley Secondary School Wednesday morning before turning the gun over to the school's principal, causing the school to be locked down for about an hour.

Donald Daggett, 68, whom police said had a valid permit for the pistol, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Neversink Town Court Monday.

When Daggett was reached at his home Wednesday night, he said he forgot about the law prohibiting firearms on school grounds. He said he spends a lot of time in the mountains in the area, and carries the gun to fend off coyotes.

"It was a stupid mistake," Daggett said. "I never even thought about it."

Tri-Valley School District Superintendent Thomas Palmer said Daggett arrived at the school around 8:30 a.m. and asked to see the principal, Jeffrey Bennett. "He signed in and was escorted up to Mr. Bennett's office," Palmer said.

The school does not have a metal detector.

Daggett complained to Bennett about students he just saw speeding near his house. During the conversation, Daggett told Bennett that he was carrying a gun.

"I thought he (Bennett) was going to bring the students to the office; I wasn't sure if (having the gun) would make things uncomfortable," Daggett said.

"He didn't threaten Mr. Bennett in any way," Palmer said. "The gun was loaded, he disarmed it, and gave it to Mr. Bennett." The school immediately called 911 and locked the school down. State and New York City Department of Environmental Protection police arrived and arrested Daggett.

"There was no malice," Daggett said. "I didn't go in there to hurt anybody."